Have QPR Quickly Replaced Austin?

Queens Park Rangers have secured the signature of the wanted striker, Conor Washington from Peterborough FC. He has signed for an estimated fee of £2.5 million two days after the selling of hotshot Charlie Austin and a thunderous 3-0 win against Rotherham. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank saw the attacking options of Jay Emmanuel Thomas and Seb Polter as not strong enough to start and fight for play offs, maybe even automatic promotion or just a respectable finish to the season.

Who is he?

Conor Washington is a 6 ft 1, 23 year old Striker, born in Chatham in England. Conor’s career was not the luxurious story of an average life of a footballer because he started off as a postman before his professional career kicked off like Charlie Austin’s and Jamie Vardy’s story and their climb to the top. He has had a rollercoaster of a career, scoring 52 goals across 50 games for St Ives Town, which is outstanding. Then he got his move to Newport County, where he hit a slump, only scoring 5 goals in 39 games. Even though his goal scoring record was not the best, he got his break and moved to League one with Peterborough in 2014. He received the name of a “journey man” which was seen as a negative but he has scored 27 goals in 81 games for Posh, scoring 15 of them this season. Having this great record this season and seeing his hunger for the game and potential, he got his ‘big figure move” to QPR.

What does he bring to QPR and the Championship?

Conor Washington is well known for his brutal strength but his blistering pace, some would call that a “great combination.” Conor has a fierce right foot, scoring goals from 30-40 yards, showing that he is not afraid to shoot on sight. Having said that, he is very confident with sticking the ball away from inside the box or from a rebound. He shows natural finishing and great technique, he can get in around tough defences with his strength or his pace. As a QPR season ticket holder, i feel that he will fill the void of Charlie Austin adequately due to our playing style. We are very reliant on the wingers, Phillips and the “new and improved” Holiett pace and their ability to whip a cross in the box. We play a lot of football on the ground and our crosses tend to be on the ground. This will suit Conor Washington because even though he is 6 ft 1, he is better with his feet than his head. He will be able to adapt on Austin’s playing style of coming in field and holding the ball up or getting around the back of defenders. He will slot straight into the team as the main striker due to JFH admiration of the big man. This will help him settle in and the well rounded bunch of players QPR have will allow him to play free and hopefully will bring success. I strongly believe that he will continue his fine form this season and will bring success to QPR and the quest of getting back into the Premier League.

My thoughts

As previously said in this passage, I firmly believe that Conor Washington will be an immediate hit on the West London side due to his talents shown through his track record and his amazing potential. He rejected a reported three championship teams, one was Reading FC, who offered £1 million more than QPR, which shows his ambition and desire to be approached and eventually signed by Rangers. This is a very positive signing for QPR because it shows that they want players that will actually want to play for the blue and white hoops and they will give their all and fight for the club, which is the direction QPR needs to go in.